Malicious Code Injection in splendid_worm_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-109024: Malicious code in splendid_worm_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The splendid_worm_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that aims to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. The primary functionality of this package is to serve as a token reward mechanism for the tea.xyz protocol, but it has been compromised to include harmful scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the splendid_worm_z3n package originates from its association with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It contains malicious scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of these variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can inflate developer reputation scores fraudulently. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as well as a degradation of the npm ecosystem's integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall splendid_worm_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the splendid_worm_z3n package and any other packages that are part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes and revert them if necessary.
Conclusion
The splendid_worm_z3n package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, posing significant risks to developers and their projects. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies to maintain the integrity of your software. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The splendid_worm_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
If you have installed the splendid_worm_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall splendid_worm_z3n' and review your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and only install packages from trusted sources.
